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Noise & emissions compliance in NSW

  • billy73
    billy73
    15 years ago

    G'day,

    I am an Aussie currently living in the US.  I bought an '07 Fatboy over here and have added Stage 1 upgrade, Vance & Hines Big Radius into 2 (with baffles installed) and a Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather amongst heaps of other non-drivetrain related things.  I am likely to install the SE 103" Stage 2 before returning home to Sydney mid next year.

    My question is whether this set up, with or without the stage 2, upgrade is likely to pass the noise and or emission(?) compliance requirements in NSW.  I understand that there is a 96dB limit?  If it does  not pass initial compliance could I reinstall the stock exhaust for compliance and get the V&H I have "stickered" later?  

    If all that cannot work, what aftermarket exhausts of similar syle (eg V&H big radius 2 into 1) might get under that 96dB bar for compliance?

    Can anyone out there give me a heads up on this issue?  I tried the V&H distributor in Australia 3 times and got politely palmed off to the RTA 3 times, who will of course be absolutely no help at all.

    Thanks guys, 

    Billy   

     

  • Frank7214
    Frank7214
    15 years ago

    Hope this helps.

    Exhaust noise from vehicles should not exceed the prescribed noise levels referred to in clause 4 of the Regulation. The levels depend on whether the vehicle is certified to Australian Design Rule (ADR) 83/00 (which came into force progressively from 2005), or to earlier ADRs.
    For vehicles certified prior to ADR 83/00, Schedule 1 of the Regulation specifies the prescribed noise levels. For cars built before January 1983, the maximum noise level is 96 decibels and for newer cars the level is 90 decibels. For motorcycles built on or after 1 March 1984, and designed or manufactured for use on a road, the level is 94 decibels. The noise level for other motorcycles is 100 decibels.
    For vehicles certified to ADR 83/00 and with compliance plate dates of 1 March 2010 or earlier, the prescribed noise level is the higher of the level in Schedule 1 or the ADR 83/00 signature level plus 5 decibels. For vehicles with compliance plate dates after 1 March 2010, the prescribed noise level is the ADR 83/00 signature level plus 5 decibels.
    ADR83/00 signature levels can be found on the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government's website at When the prescribed noise limits are exceeded, authorised officers from DECC can issue penalty notices for offences. There is a tiered scale for fines - the louder the exhaust noise from vehicles, the greater the penalty. You can ensure that the exhaust noise from your vehicle is acceptable by regularly maintaining your exhaust equipment (i.e. mufflers) and avoiding non-standard parts.
    Exhaust systems
    If the vehicle sounds noisier than unmodified vehicles of the same make and model, the exhaust system may have been altered. If in doubt, make inquiries. The system should be replaced with a quieter system when, for example:
    The exhaust system has been replaced with an excessively loud system such as a sports system, or
    The baffles have been altered or removed from the muffler so the vehicle is noisier.
    Remember that more noise does not mean more power but it does mean more annoyance, which could result in you being fined.
    When your noise control system is being repaired or modified you could ask for a statement in writing from the repairer that the repaired or modified system complies with the Regulation.
    The Regulation also makes it an offence to use temporary noise reduction devices or packing on vehicle exhausts. This includes items such as baffles in the exhaust system that have not been welded/riveted in place, or items that are adjustable such as valves, or materials introduced into the exhaust system, such as steel wool. These items must not be used to defeat a noise test.
    However a defence is provided for any:
    Vehicle that, at the time of manufacture, had items such as baffles that were not welded or riveted in place or an adjustable device in the exhaust system, or a replacement that is equivalent to that fitted by the manufacturer
    Motorcycle that has items such as baffles that are bolted or otherwise securely fastened in place.
    Exhaust Label Repealed
    Exhaust Labels Fall Off
    Sydney, 21 March, 2006
     
    NSW motorcyclists have finally been relieved of a stupid NSW Regulation.
    In July 2000, the Environmental Protection Authority (now part of the Dept of Environment and Conservation) introduced a retrospective law demanding that aftermarket replacement motorcycle exhausts be specially labelled and then authorised the Police to issue fines of $200 to riders who didn’t have this label.
    In it’s justification, the then EPA claimed this labelling requirement allowed the Police and EPA officers to readily identify less effective mufflers that may exceed the prescribed noise limits
    EPA made no provision by which riders could obtain such a label. Riders referred to this law as “the sticker tax”.
    However, after 6 years of protest by the Motorcycle Council of NSW, Clause 19 from the Protection of the Environment Operations Regulation has now been repealed.
    The regulation was published in the Government Gazette No. 35, (11/2006) pp 1379 & 1380 on Friday 17, March 2006.
    Exhaust labels required under Clause 19 will remain on many motorcycles as a reminder to riders to remain vigilant and how, by uniting through their Motorcycle Council in NSW, they can address serious issues.
    Mr. Chris Turner, Chair of the Noise Committee of the Motorcycle Council of NSW said today “Yes, the misused sticker law allowed enforcement agencies to easily identify mufflers which may or may not be illegal and give you a $200 fine in either case!”
    The repeal of this law is great news for motorcycle riders from any State travelling in NSW, as all motorcycles had been subjected to this NSW law despite the uniqueness of the regulation.
    The Motorcycle Council wishes to acknowledge assistance from the NSW Democrats, in an initial Motion of Disallowance and also acknowledge support granted to this Motion from members of the NSW Upper House. It reinforces the value of an independent Upper House.
    Guy Stanford, Chairman of the MCC of NSW said “I’d like to thank the persistence and skill of the Noise Committee, particularly Chris Coote and Chris Turner. We still have to resolve the issue of margin for error in roadside exhaust tests and the Noise Committee is well up to the task.”
     
     
     
  • toxic
    toxic
    15 years ago

    as stated....... in shot NO... if it's not standard it will fail......

  • Daggs
    Daggs
    15 years ago
    yep.... i can atest to that..... :(
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